The
cross is an addition from the early 11th century; the arch dates from the reign
of Emperor Conrad II (ruled 1024-1039); the red velvet cap is from the 18th
century.

Gold,
cloisonné enamel, precious stones, pearls

Brow
plate: H 14.9 cm, W 11.2 cm; cross: H 9.9 cm

Eight
hinged plates form the octagonal body of the imperial crown. Four smaller plates
bear pictorial representations from the Old Testament in cloisonné enamel; the
four main plates of differing sizes are decorated solely by precious stones and
pearls in raised settings.

The
programmatic theological concept can be recognized in the more prominent of the
four stone-encrusted plates. The twelve precious stones on the brow plate
correspond to the number of the Apostles. The
twelve stones on the neck plate refer to the pectoral of the Jewish high priest;
they are engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. In the place of
the heart-shaped sapphire at the top of the arch of the brow plate, there was
once the "Waise”. The stone
was last mentioned in an inventory of 1550; it later vanished.

The
cloisonné enamel plaques are symbolically related to one another. The prophets
included in these inscriptions hold banderoles inscribed with their own
quotations explaining their relationship to one another. All of the biblical
texts in the inscriptions are also quotations from the coronation liturgy, as
laid down in the Ordo of 960. Only
on the Maiestas Domini plate is there a quotation (Proverbs 8:15) instead of an
inscription — a revelation of the pre-existing Christ and ruler of the
universe of the Old Testament.

Like
his son and successor, Solomon, David — both king of Israel and prophet,—

symbolizes
justice; Solomon symbolizes wisdom and the fear of God; Isaiah prophesies a
further fifteen years of life to King Hezekiah, lying on his deathbed, for his
pious prayers to God. God shows mercy to the king by prolonging his life and
destroying his enemies.

This
crown is regarded as an imperial symbol representing in a suitably formal
fashion the self-confidence of the Ottonian dynasty, endowed with the divine
right of kings.